Chef Charlie Sims cooked fried chicken, lasagna and the region's traditional New Year's dishes of black-eyed peas and cabbage.

NPR: Danza Quartet Welcomes 2009, Bayou Style

Meanwhile, Findus France has temporarily withdrawn three ready-prepared dishes -- lasagna bolognese, shepherd's pie and moussaka -- because of the discovery of horsemeat in purported 100% beef products, the firm said.

CNN: Meat industry under scrutiny as horsemeat scandal spreads

Findus has been ordered to test the lasagna withdrawn from the shelves for the drug's presence.

CNN: UK beef under microscope as horsemeat found in lasagna